NIGERIAN BAPTIST CONVENTION SEEK DAILY (NBC) Friday, September 15 DEALING WITH ANGER

RBT: Hosea 5-9

Memory Verse: “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgement. Matthew 5: 22a, NIV

Bible Text: Matthew 5:20-22

5:20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.  

5:21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 

5:22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister, will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

American Psychological Association defines anger as “an emotion characterised by antagonism towards someone or something you feel has deliberately done you wrong. Anger can be a good thing. It can give you a way to express negative feelings, or motivate you to find solutions to problems.”

Nevertheless, excessive anger can cause spiritual, physical, and psychological or health problems, such as increased blood pressure. There are other things associated with anger that can make it difficult to think straight as well as harm your physical and mental health.

In one of the lessons in Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expatiated on what the law says about murder. Ordinarily, no one (in their right senses) will commit murder. Jesus linked uncontrolled anger and every empty (idle) word (Matthew 12:38) to murder, and added that no murderer would enter the Kingdom of God. 

As a believer, you are to master your anger and aggression, and must not allow it to have dominion over you. What is the level of your anger? Do you get angry easily as a result of your Adamic nature? God can help you; therefore, come to Him today

Insight: Be angry, and do not sin.

Prayer: LORD, deliver me from all forms of uncontrolled anger.